digital camera

Abstract

To provide a digital camera with a simple and compact structure, excellent productivity and cost-effectiveness, and ease of use that allows anyone to easily take the photos they want. [Solution] A digital camera comprising a main body 110 equipped with a lens unit 112 for digital shooting, a shoe base unit 120 provided on the bottom surface 110a of the main body 110 and detachably attached to the hot shoe unit 210 of a camera 20, wherein the shoe base unit 120 has a contact unit 122 that contacts the hot shoe contact provided on the hot shoe unit 210, the main body 110 is detachably attached to the camera 20 via the shoe base unit 120 and is equipped with a sync input unit 140 connected to the contact unit 122 that receives a sync signal input from the hot shoe contact, and a control processing unit 150 that starts shooting operation in accordance with the sync signal input to the sync input unit 140.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital camera including a control unit that receives a sync signal input via a hot shoe contact and starts a shooting operation in response to the sync signal, and particularly to a digital camera that can be detachably attached to a hot shoe portion of an analog camera, a film camera, or a silver halide camera.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various cameras have been provided. For example, digital cameras that can digitally process a photographed image and visually recognize the image on a monitor screen in real time have become widespread.

[0003] Also, although it is not possible to confirm a photographed image in real time, there are many demands for photos with an analog feel and warmth. The popularity of old-fashioned cameras, so-called analog cameras, film cameras, or silver halide cameras (hereinafter these are referred to as "analog cameras") remains high, including among experts and enthusiasts. In particular, in recent years, analog cameras that are easy to operate and can be easily photographed have also appeared.

[0004] In view of such a situation, the appearance of a camera that combines the advantages of a digital camera and an analog camera or a camera having a function to compensate for the disadvantages of each of a digital camera and an analog camera is desired.

[0005] Patent Document 1 below discloses a silver halide camera that performs its own shooting operation in response to the shooting operation of a digital camera. This silver halide camera is configured to include a shooting start means that generates a shooting start signal to start the exposure of the silver halide film to a shooting means that performs a shooting operation of exposing the silver halide film when receiving a shooting signal generated by the digital camera in response to its own digital shooting operation.

[0006] Non-patent document 1 below describes that it is possible to attach a smartphone to the hot shoe of a single-lens reflex camera and simultaneously take photos with the single-lens reflex camera while recording videos with the smartphone. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-287236 [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] https: / www.photografan.com / basic-knowledge / camera-hot-shoe / [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is one in which a digital camera is the main component, and an analog silver halide camera performs a shooting operation at approximately the same time in conjunction with the digital shooting operation.

[0010] Non-patent document 1 discloses the ability to attach a smartphone to the hot shoe of an analog camera and simultaneously record video with the smartphone, but it does not disclose specific means of implementation. Furthermore, smartphones themselves are of a certain size, and when attached to a camera, they become difficult to handle and carry. In addition, a special adapter is required for attachment.

[0011] This invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a digital camera that allows anyone to easily take digital photos even when using an analog camera, and that is easy to use. Furthermore, this invention aims to provide a digital camera with an extremely simple and compact structure that offers excellent productivity and cost-effectiveness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, this invention has the following configuration.

[0013] A digital camera comprising: a main body equipped with a lens unit and performing digital shooting; a shoe base unit provided on the bottom surface of the main body and detachably attached to the hot shoe unit of an external camera, wherein the shoe base unit has a contact portion that contacts the hot shoe contact provided on the hot shoe unit; the main body is detachably attached to the external camera via the shoe base unit and comprises a synchronization input unit connected to the contact portion and receiving a synchronization signal input from the hot shoe contact; and a control unit that starts shooting operation in response to the synchronization signal input to the synchronization input unit.

[0014] (2) The main body described in (1) above is characterized in that, when attached to the external camera, the lens portion provided on the external camera and the lens portion of the main body are oriented in the same direction or at a predetermined angle.

[0015] (3) The device described in (1) or (2) above, characterized in that the volume of the main body is smaller than the volume of the external camera.

[0016] (4) In the case of the device described in (1), (2), or (3) above, the main unit is characterized in that the control unit is configured to perform the shooting operation without relying on the synchronization signal.

[0017] (5) The device described in (1), (2), (3) or (4) above, wherein the main body is characterized by having a memory unit that stores the captured photographic information in a digital manner.

[0018] According to the above configuration, it has a practically excellent effect that attachment and detachment are easy and anyone can easily take desired analog photos and digital photos. Moreover, a collaboration effect that analog photo shooting and digital photo shooting can be performed simultaneously can be realized.

[0019] Also, according to the above configuration, a digital camera with a simple and compact structure can be provided, which is also advantageous in terms of production and economy.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, a digital camera can be provided that has a practically excellent effect that attachment and detachment are easy and desired analog photo shooting and digital shooting can be performed in real time. Also, a digital camera with an extremely simple and compact structure can be provided, which is also advantageous in terms of production and economy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a state where a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an analog camera. [Figure 2] It is a functional block diagram in a state where a digital camera according to the same embodiment is attached to an analog camera. [Figure 3] Regarding the same embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing a state of viewing the entire digital camera from below the front side, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state of viewing the entire digital camera from below the back side. [Figure 4] Regarding the same embodiment, it is a diagram schematically showing a state of attaching a digital camera to an analog camera, where (a) is a diagram showing a state before attachment and (b) is a diagram showing a state after attachment. [Figure 5] Regarding the same embodiment, (a) is a front view of the digital camera, (b) is a top view of the digital camera, and (c) is a bottom view of the digital camera. [Figure 6]In relation to the same embodiment, (d) is a right side view of the digital camera, (e) is a left side view of the digital camera, and (f) is a rear view of the digital camera. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0023] The digital camera 10 according to this embodiment comprises a main body 110 equipped with a lens unit 112 for digital shooting and having a digital shooting processing function, and a shoe base unit 120 provided on the bottom surface 110a of the main body 110 and detachably attached to a hot shoe unit 210 provided on the top plate unit 200a of the main body (analog camera body) 20 of an external analog camera (hereinafter referred to as "camera") 20. Then, when the shoe base 120 is attached to the hot shoe 210, the digital camera 10 is attached to the camera 20 via the shoe base 120.

[0024] The shoe base portion 120 is equipped with a contact portion 122 that contacts the hot shoe contact provided on the hot shoe portion (hot shoe part) 210. The main body 110 is configured to receive a sync signal based on the shooting signal generated when the camera 20 takes a picture via the hot shoe contact and the contact portion 122, and to start shooting digitally in response to the sync signal, for example, at substantially the same time as the input of the sync signal.

[0025] The contact portion 122 is made of, for example, a conductive material. The contact portion 122 may also be formed of an elastic contact piece, a conductive pad, or a pin-shaped member that can electrically contact the hot shoe contact of the hot shoe portion 210 of the camera 20.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main unit 110 is configured to be detachably attached to the hot shoe portion 210 of the camera 20 via the shoe base portion 120 such that the analog camera lens portion (lens portion) 220 and the lens portion 112 provided on the camera 20 are oriented in the same direction or exhibit a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the main unit 110 may be configured to be supported by the shoe base 120 in a way that allows for adjustment of its tilt angle. In this case, angle adjustment can reduce the misalignment of the field of view between the lens 220 of the camera 20 and the lens 112 of the main unit 110. Also, in this case, the digital camera 10 can take pictures with a different field of view than the camera 20.

[0027] Furthermore, the volume of the main body 110 is formed to be smaller than the volume of the analog camera body 200. Here, the volume can be, for example, the external volume.

[0028] Furthermore, the main unit 110 is configured to be able to take digital photos independently, without being synchronized with the sync signal from the camera 20, that is, independently of the timing of the input of the sync signal.

[0029] Furthermore, the main unit 110 is equipped with a memory unit 130 that digitally stores the captured image information. The memory unit 130 is configured to accommodate a removable storage medium, such as a microSD card (a very small flash memory card).

[0030] As described above, the digital camera 10 includes a shoe base 120 and a memory unit 130 provided on the bottom surface 110a of the main body 110 which has a lens unit 112. The main body 110 also has a synchronization input unit 140 that has the function of receiving a synchronization signal input via a hot shoe contact provided on the hot shoe unit 210, a control processing unit 150 that has the function of controlling and processing various functions of the digital camera 10, and a monitor unit 160 that makes captured shooting information (still image shooting information and / or video shooting information) viewable in real time or on demand.

[0031] Furthermore, the main body 110 of the digital camera 10 is provided with a shutter unit 170 that allows for independent digital shooting without synchronization with the sync signal from the camera 20.

[0032] As described above, the analog camera body 200 of camera 20 is equipped with a hot shoe section 210 and a lens section 220, and also has a shooting signal transmission section 230 that has the function of transmitting a shooting signal as a sync signal, a control processing section 240 that has the function of controlling and processing various functions of camera 20, and a recording section 250 that records shooting information via the lens section 220 onto film.

[0033] Furthermore, the analog camera body 200 of camera 20 is equipped with a shutter unit 260 for initiating shooting. When the shutter unit 260 is activated, camera 20 takes a picture via the lens unit 220, and is also configured to send the shooting signal generated within camera 20 from the shooting signal transmission unit 230 to the hot shoe contact.

[0034] In this embodiment, the camera 20 is a conventional, so-called analog camera, also known as a film camera or silver halide camera, but it is not limited to this. Of course, it could also be a digital camera equipped with a hot shoe that has a function to send out the shooting signal as a sync signal.

[0035] The operation of the above configuration is explained below.

[0036] The digital camera 10 is attached to the camera 20 by fitting the shoe base portion 120 of the digital camera 10 onto the hot shoe portion 210 along the guide portion 210a of the hot shoe portion 210 of the camera 20 (in the direction of arrow A in Figure 4(a)). When the digital camera 10 is attached to the camera 20, the hot shoe contacts of the attached hot shoe portion 210 and the contact portion 122 of the shoe base portion 120 are electrically connected. As a result, the sync signal based on the shooting signal transmitted from the camera 20 is input to the sync input portion 140 on the digital camera 10 side via the hot shoe contacts.

[0037] In this state, when the shutter unit 260 of the camera 20 is activated (for example, when the shutter button is pressed), the sync signal based on the shooting signal generated inside the camera 20 is input to the sync input unit 140 of the digital camera 10 via the hot shoe contact and contact unit 122. In this embodiment, the sync signal is treated as substantially the same signal as the shooting signal, but it is not limited to this, and a signal obtained by converting or shaping the shooting signal may be used as the sync signal.

[0038] When the sync signal is input to the sync input unit 140, the control processing unit 150 of the digital camera 10 initiates a shooting operation corresponding to the sync signal. The shooting operation of the digital camera 10 is performed substantially in synchronization with the input of the sync signal. The shooting information captured by the digital camera 10 is stored in the memory unit 130. The shooting information is then promptly displayed on the monitor unit 160.

[0039] To remove the digital camera 10 attached to the camera 20, the shoe base portion 120 of the digital camera 10, which is fitted along the guide portion 210a of the hot shoe portion 210 of the camera 20, is moved in the opposite direction to when it was attached, thereby releasing the attachment (opposite direction of arrow A in Figure 4(a)).

[0040] Furthermore, when the shutter unit 170 of the digital camera 10 is activated, that is, for example, when the shutter button of the digital camera 10 is pressed, the digital camera 10 is configured to execute a shooting operation by the control processing unit 150, regardless of whether the digital camera 10 is attached to the camera 20 or not. The captured shooting information is stored in the memory unit 130. Of course, the shutter unit 170 may be configured to not activate when the digital camera 10 is attached to the camera 20.

[0041] According to the above embodiment, installation and removal are easy, and anyone can easily take desired analog and digital photographs, providing a practically superior digital camera. In particular, the ability to instantly check the captured images taken in synchronization with the analog photographs on the digital camera 10 is convenient and useful. In addition, according to the above embodiment, various collaborative effects can be expected from the real-time synchronization of analog and digital photographs.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, after shooting with the analog camera 20, the captured image captured in sync with the digital camera 10 can be viewed on the digital camera 10 in what is known as on-demand viewing, making it practically useful.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, a digital camera with a simple and compact configuration can be provided, which is advantageous in terms of production, economy, and use.

[0044] Furthermore, the digital camera 10 in this embodiment can capture not only still images but also videos, either in conjunction with or independently of the camera 20. For example, the control unit 150 of the digital camera 10 can capture a video for any desired duration after acquiring a sync signal. Also, if the camera 20 has a video recording function, the digital camera 10 can capture a video in conjunction with the camera 20.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10… Digital camera 110 ... Main unit 110a...Bottom part 112 ... Lens part 120 ... Shoe base section 122 ... Contact point 130 ...Memory section 140 ... Synchronization input section 150 ... Control Processing Unit (Control Unit) 160 ... Monitor section 170 ... Shutter section 20…Analog Camera 200…Analog camera body 200a ... Top panel (top panel portion) 210 ... Hot shoe section (hot shoe area) 220 ... Lens section for analog cameras 230 ... Shooting signal transmission unit

Claims

1. The camera body, equipped with a lens, performs digital photography, A shoe base is provided on the bottom surface of the main unit and is detachably attached to the hot shoe portion of an external camera, Equipped with, The shoe base portion has a contact portion that contacts the hot shoe contact provided on the hot shoe portion. The above-mentioned main unit is detachably attached to the above-mentioned external camera via the above-mentioned shoe base portion and is characterized by comprising: a synchronization input unit connected to the above-mentioned contact portion and receiving a synchronization signal input from the above-mentioned hot shoe contact; and a control unit that starts a shooting operation in accordance with the synchronization signal input to the synchronization input unit.

2. The digital camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume of the main unit is smaller than the volume of the external camera.

3. The digital camera according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main unit is configured such that the control unit performs a shooting operation without relying on the synchronization signal.

4. The digital camera according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main unit includes a memory unit that stores captured shooting information in a digital manner.

Images